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November 18th. 1755. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0001-0001-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1755-11-18T00:00:00" | "1755-11-18T00:00:00" | November 18th. 1755..
We had a severe Shock of an Earthquake. It continued near four minutes. I was then at my Fathers in Braintree, and awoke out of my sleep in the midst of it. The house seemed to rock and reel and crack as if it would fall in ruins about us. 7 Chimnies were shatter’d by it within one mile of my Fathers house. |
[November 1755] | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0001-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1755-11-18T00:00:00" | "1755-11-18T00:00:00" | [November 1755].
November 18th. 1755.
We had a severe Shock of an Earthquake. It continued near four minutes. I was then at my Fathers in Braintree, and awoke out of my sleep in the midst of it. The house seemed to rock and reel and crack as if it would fall in ruins about us. 7 Chimnies were shatter’d by it within one mile of my Fathers house.
First entry in “Paper book No. 1” (D/JA/1), which is the first in the series of stitched booklets that make up the greater part of JA’s MS Diary. MS notations by JQA on the front cover of the booklet indicate that its contents were copied into the “Small Quarto” series of early transcripts of the Diary and that JQA compared the transcripts with the original entries, 22 Sept. 1832.
John Adams (1691–1761), father of JA, is usually called Deacon John Adams in order to distinguish him from his son, and he will be so designated in this edition. Farmer, cordwainer (shoemaker), tithingman, constable (tax collector), militia officer, nine times selectman, and for fourteen years a deacon of the North Precinct church, he was “a typical New England yeoman” (CFA2, Three EpisodesCharles Francis Adams, Three Episodes of Massachusetts History: The Settlement of Boston Bay; The Antinomian Controversy; A Study of Church and Town Government, Boston and New York, 1892; 2 vols., 2:715). JA, who paid repeated and very high tributes to his father’s character, said that “almost all the Business of the Town was managed by him for 20 Years together” (Memoranda on a copy of Deacon John Adams’ Will, 10 July 1761, Adams Papers, Wills and Deeds).
There is a note on the Deacon’s two houses in Braintree, the birthplaces of the two Adams Presidents, under 17 March 1756, below.
This earthquake, a fairly severe one in New England, occurred a little after 4 A.M., Tuesday, 18 Nov., and was one of an intermittent series of seismic shocks on both sides of the Atlantic, the most memorable of which had virtually destroyed the city of Lisbon on the morning of 1 Nov. Besides jolting JA into beginning a diary, the earthquake of the 18th produced a public controversy between Rev. Thomas Prince of Boston and Professor John Winthrop of Harvard that has been engagingly recounted by Eleanor M. Tilton in “Lightning-Rods and the Earthquake of 1755,” NEQNew England Quarterly., 13:85–97 (March 1940). JA sided with the scientist rather than with the divine, though he appears to have kept his thoughts on the subject to himself; see his marginalia in Winthrop’s Lecture on Earthquakes under Dec. 1758, below. A very full description of the physical effects of the earthquake on the town of Boston was printed in the Boston Gazette, 24 Nov. 1755. |
January the 14th. 1756. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-14T00:00:00" | "1756-01-14T00:00:00" | January the 14th. 1756..
At Worcester. A very rainy Day. Kept school in the forenoon; but not in the afternoon, because of the weather and my own indisposition. |
15. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0002 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-15T00:00:00" | "1756-01-15T00:00:00" | 15..
A fair morning and pretty warm. Kept school. Drank Tea at Mr. Swan’s, with Mr. Thayer. |
16 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0003 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-16T00:00:00" | "1756-01-16T00:00:00" | 16 Fryday..
A fine morning. A large white frost upon the ground. Reading Hutcheson’s Introduction to moral Phylosophy. A beautiful Day and Evening. Din’d with Major Chandler. |
17 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0004 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-17T00:00:00" | "1756-01-17T00:00:00" | 17 Saturday..
A clowdy, dull, Day. Some snow about noon, and rain towards night. σπίζημαι, τα καθαρματα Ψυχησ. Plato. |
18 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0005 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-18T00:00:00" | "1756-01-18T00:00:00" | 18 Sunday..
A fair morning. Heard Mr. Maccarty. |
19 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0006 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-19T00:00:00" | "1756-01-19T00:00:00" | 19 Monday..
A rainy Day. |
20 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0007 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-20T00:00:00" | "1756-01-20T00:00:00" | 20 Tuesday..
A fair, warm spring like Day. Drank Tea and supped at Mr. Greenes. |
21 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0008 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-21T00:00:00" | "1756-01-21T00:00:00" | 21 Wednesday..
A very rainy day. Dined with Coll. Chandlers Jur. Spent the Eve at Mr. Maccarty’s. Kept school. Nothing more. |
22 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0009 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-22T00:00:00" | "1756-01-22T00:00:00" | 22 Thurdsday..
A fair morning. Fresh and lively Air. Drank Tea and supped at Mrs. Paine’s. |
23 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0010 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-23T00:00:00" | "1756-01-23T00:00:00" | 23 Fryday..
A fair and agreable Day. Kept School. Drank Tea, at Coll. Chandler’s Jur., and spent the Evening at Major Gardiners. |
24 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0011 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-24T00:00:00" | "1756-01-24T00:00:00" | 24 Saturday..
A very high west Wind. Warm and cloudy. P.M. warm and fair. |
25 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0012 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-25T00:00:00" | "1756-01-25T00:00:00" | 25 Sunday..
A cold Weather. Heard friend Thayer preach two ingenious discourses, from Jeremy 10th. 6. and 7. Supped att Coll. Chandlers. |
26 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0013 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-26T00:00:00" | "1756-01-26T00:00:00" | 26 Monday..
A sharp piercing Air. Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived 2’o clock. |
27 Tuesday | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0014 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-27T00:00:00" | "1756-01-27T00:00:00" | 27 Tuesday.
Att my Uncles. |
28 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0015 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-28T00:00:00" | "1756-01-28T00:00:00" | 28 Wednesday..
Ditto. Thick weather, and some rain. |
29 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0016 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-29T00:00:00" | "1756-01-29T00:00:00" | 29 Thurdsday..
Still, cloudy Weather. Set out for Worcester, Drank Tea in Sutton, with my class mate, Wheeler and arrived at Worcester about 7 o clock. Supped with Major Chandler. Very miry Roads. |
30 Friday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0017 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-30T00:00:00" | "1756-01-30T00:00:00" | 30 Friday..
Still, foggy, damp Weather. Kept School and dined at Mr. Greenes. |
31 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001-0018 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-31T00:00:00" | "1756-01-31T00:00:00" | 31 Saturday..
A warm, spring-like Day. Kept School. Lodged at Mr. Maccartys, at night. |
[January 1756] | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-01-14T00:00:00" | "1756-01-31T00:00:00" | [January 1756].
January the 14th. 1756.
At Worcester. A very rainy Day. Kept school in the forenoon; but not in the afternoon, because of the weather and my own indisposition.
JA had come to Worcester “about three weeks after his commencement” at Harvard to keep a school. (Commencement in 1755 fell on 16 July.) The circumstances of his appointment are related in his Autobiography. The school he kept was the “Center School,” built in 1738 close to the site of the present Worcester County Court House in Lincoln Square, where a plaque now memorializes his brief career as a pedagogue (Daughters of the Amer. Rev., Report of the Committee on Historical Research and Marking Local Sites of the Colonel Timothy Bigelow Chapter, Worcester, 1903, passim). The town appropriated £75 for the support of its center and several outlying schools in 1755, but part of JA’s compensation was his keep (“Worcester Town Records,” Worcester Soc. of Antiquity, Colls., 4 [1882]:20).
During a later visit to Worcester JA recorded the names of some of the pupils he had taught at the Center School (entry of 2 June 1771, below).
15.
A fair morning and pretty warm. Kept school. Drank Tea at Mr. Swan’s, with Mr. Thayer.
16 Fryday.
A fine morning. A large white frost upon the ground. Reading Hutcheson’s Introduction to moral Phylosophy. A beautiful Day and Evening. Din’d with Major Chandler.
Francis Hutcheson, A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy, in Three Books; Containing the Elements of Ethicks and the Law of Nature, Glasgow, 1747, and later edns., was long a popular textbook in Scotland and America. A number of works by Hutcheson survive among JA’s books in the Boston Public Library; see Catalogue of JA’s LibraryCatalogue of the John Adams Library in the Public Library of the City of Boston, Boston, 1917..
Gardiner Chandler (1723–1782), son of the third John Chandler (1693?–1762) and brother of the fourth John Chandler (1721–1800), with all of whom JA was on friendly terms during his years in Worcester. The leading family in pre-Revolutionary Worcester, the Chandlers tended to multiply and succeed each other in civil and military offices in a manner that often makes it difficult to tell which of them JA refers to in his jottings. “Major Chandler,” “the Major,” and “Gardiner” clearly signify Gardiner Chandler; “Judge Chandler” and “the Judge” always mean the third John Chandler; and “Colonel Chandler Jur.” the Judge’s son John. References to “Colonel Chandler” or “the Colonel” are, however, often ambiguous, especially after 1757, when all three Chandlers held the rank of colonel.
17 Saturday.
A clowdy, dull, Day. Some snow about noon, and rain towards night. σπίζημαι, τα καθαρματα Ψυχησ. Plato.
This passage remains a puzzle after examination by several authorities on Greek. It is not an accurate quotation from Plato, and nothing in the context gives a clue to what JA intended by the first word, which makes neither sense nor grammar as it stands. If we may read the first word as the noun ἐπιστῆμαι , then the passage may be translated: “Sciences (or studies), the things that cleanse the soul.”
18 Sunday.
A fair morning. Heard Mr. Maccarty.
Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty (1721–1784), who at the preceding Harvard commencement had singled out JA to serve as schoolmaster in Worcester.
19 Monday.
A rainy Day.
20 Tuesday.
A fair, warm spring like Day. Drank Tea and supped at Mr. Greenes.
For the first few months after he came to Worcester JA had “boarded with one Green at the Expence of the Town” (JA, Autobiography), but since there were numerous Greens in Worcester at this period and since JA writes this name as “Green” and “Greene” interchangeably, none of those mentioned in the early Diary can be certainly identified.
21 Wednesday.
A very rainy day. Dined with Coll. Chandlers Jur. Spent the Eve at Mr. Maccarty’s. Kept school. Nothing more.
22 Thurdsday.
A fair morning. Fresh and lively Air. Drank Tea and supped at Mrs. Paine’s.
Presumably Sarah (Chandler) Paine, daughter of Colonel or Judge John Chandler and wife of Timothy Paine (1730–1793), currently a member of the General Court (Stark, Loyalists of Mass.James H. Stark, The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American Revolution, Boston, 1910., p. 382–385).
23 Fryday.
A fair and agreable Day. Kept School. Drank Tea, at Coll. Chandler’s Jur., and spent the Evening at Major Gardiners.
24 Saturday.
A very high west Wind. Warm and cloudy. P.M. warm and fair.
25 Sunday.
A cold Weather. Heard friend Thayer preach two ingenious discourses, from Jeremy 10th. 6. and 7. Supped att Coll. Chandlers.
26 Monday.
A sharp piercing Air. Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived 2’o clock.
27 Tuesday
Att my Uncles.
Rev. Nathan Webb (1705–1772), who in 1731 had married Ruth, a younger sister of Deacon John Adams of Braintree. Webb, who graduated at Harvard in 1725, was settled as the first minister at Uxbridge, Mass., in the year of his marriage and enjoyed a pastorate there of over forty years (Sibley-Shipton, Harvard GraduatesJohn Langdon Sibley and Clifford K. Shipton, Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cambridge and Boston, 1873– ., 7:617–619).
28 Wednesday.
Ditto. Thick weather, and some rain.
29 Thurdsday.
Still, cloudy Weather. Set out for Worcester, Drank Tea in Sutton, with my class mate, Wheeler and arrived at Worcester about 7 o clock. Supped with Major Chandler. Very miry Roads.
30 Friday.
Still, foggy, damp Weather. Kept School and dined at Mr. Greenes.
31 Saturday.
A warm, spring-like Day. Kept School. Lodged at Mr. Maccartys, at night. |
February. 1756. 1 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-01T00:00:00" | "1756-02-01T00:00:00" | February. 1756. 1 Sunday..
Pretty cold. Staid at Home, A.M. P.M. heard Mr. Maccarty. Lodg’d with him at night. |
2 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0002 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-02T00:00:00" | "1756-02-02T00:00:00" | 2 Monday..
Wrote to John Wentworth by Coll. Josiah Willard. Spent the Eve, sup’d and lodg’d at Major Chandler’s, with that universal Scholar, gay Companion, and accomplish’d Gentleman Mr. Robert Treat Pain. Misty, thick Weather. |
3 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0003 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-03T00:00:00" | "1756-02-03T00:00:00" | 3 Tuesday..
Breakfasted at Gardiners. This morn the Weather clear’d away. As warm and brilliant as May. Kept School all Day. |
4 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0004 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-04T00:00:00" | "1756-02-04T00:00:00" | 4 Wednesday..
A charming warm Day. Dined at Coll. Chandler’s with Mr. Pain, Abel Willard and Ebenr. Thayer. Drank Tea at Mr. Timothy Paines and supp’d and spent the Eve at Major Chandlers with the same Company, very gaily. |
5 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0005 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-05T00:00:00" | "1756-02-05T00:00:00" | 5 Thurdsday..
A fair morning but some symptoms of a Change of Weather. Kept School. Spent the evening with Messrs. Paine, Putnam, Willard, Thayer, partly at home and partly at Mr. Putnams. |
6 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0006 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-06T00:00:00" | "1756-02-06T00:00:00" | 6 Fryday..
A cloudy morning. About 10 the sun brake out. A warm Day. Dined at Mr. Paines. Kept school. Spent the Evening at home. A windy Evening. |
7 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0007 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-07T00:00:00" | "1756-02-07T00:00:00" | 7 Saturday..
A Fair warm, day. Dined at the Judges. Drank Tea at Major Gardiners. |
8 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0008 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-08T00:00:00" | "1756-02-08T00:00:00" | 8 Sunday..
Heard Mr. Maccarty. Fine Weather. |
9 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0009 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-09T00:00:00" | "1756-02-09T00:00:00" | 9 Monday..
Fine Weather. Settled roads. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, very gaily, with much Company. |
10 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0010 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-10T00:00:00" | "1756-02-10T00:00:00" | 10 Tuesday..
Fair Weather. Spent the Evening at Major Chandlers, with Major Greene and Mr. Maccarty. Charming Weather. Roads Setled. |
11 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0011 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-11T00:00:00" | "1756-02-11T00:00:00" | 11 Wednesday..
Serene Weather, but somewhat cool. I am constantly forming, but never executing good resolutions. I take great Pleasure, in viewing and examining the magnificent Prospects of Nature, that lie before us in this Town. If I cast my Eyes one Way, I am entertained with the Savage and unsightly appearance of naked woods and leafless Forests. In another place a chain of broken and irregular mountains, throws my mind into a pleasing kind of astonishment. But if I turn my self round, I perceive a wide extensive Tract before me, made up of Woods, and meadows, wandring streams, and barren Planes, covered in various places by herds of grazing Cattle, and terminated by the distant View of the Town. |
12 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0012 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-12T00:00:00" | "1756-02-12T00:00:00" | 12 Thurdsday..
A cool, but pleasant morning. Heard Mr. Welman Wellman preach the Lecture, and drank Tea, with him, at home where he made this observation, (viz.) That Dr. Mayhew was a smart man, but he embraced some doctrines, not generally approved. |
13 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0013 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-13T00:00:00" | "1756-02-13T00:00:00" | 13 Fryday..
A pleasant morning. Saw my classmates Gardner, and Wheeler. Wheeler dined, spent the afternoon, and drank Tea with me. Supped at Major Gardiners, and ingag’d to keep School at Bristol, provided Worcester People, at their insuing March meeting, should change this into a moving School, not otherwise. Major Greene this Evening fell into some conversation with me about the Divinity and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ. All the Argument he advanced was, “that a mere creature, or finite Being, could not make Satisfaction to infinite Justice, for any Crimes,” and that “these things are very misterious.”
In the margin: Thus mystery is made a convenient Cover for absurdity. |
14 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0014 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-14T00:00:00" | "1756-02-14T00:00:00" | 14 Saturday..
Good Weather. This afternoon took a Vomit of Tartar Emet. and Turbith mineral, that worked 7 Times, and wrecked me much. |
15 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0015 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-15T00:00:00" | "1756-02-15T00:00:00" | 15 Sunday..
Charming Weather. A.M. staid at home reading the Independent Whig. Very often Shepherds that are hired, to take care of their Masters sheep, go about their own Concern’s and leave the flock to the Care of their Dog. So Byshops, who are appointed to oversee the flock of Christ, take the Fees themslves, but leave the Drudgery to their Dogs, alias i.e. curates and understrappers. |
16 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0016 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-16T00:00:00" | "1756-02-16T00:00:00" | 16 Monday..
A most beautiful morning. We have the most moderate Winter that ever was known in this country. For a long time together we have had serene and temperate Weather and all the Roads perfectly settled and smooth like Summer.—The Church of Rome has made it an Article of Faith that no man can be saved out of their Church, and all other religious Sects approach to this dreadfull opinion in proportion to their Ignorance, and the Influence of ignorant or wicked Priests. Still reading the Independent Whigg. Oh! that I could wear out of my mind every mean and base affectation, conquer my natural Pride and Self Conceit, expect no more defference from my fellows than I deserve, acquire that meekness, and humility, which are the sure marks and Characters of a great and generous Soul, and subdue every unworthy Passion and treat all men as I wish to be treated by all. How happy should I then be, in the favour and good will of all honest men, and the sure prospect of a happy immortality! |
17 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0017 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-17T00:00:00" | "1756-02-17T00:00:00" | 17 Tuesday..
A clowdy Day. Dined at Mr. Greenes. |
18 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0018 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-18T00:00:00" | "1756-02-18T00:00:00" | 18 Wednesday..
A charming morning. My Classmate Gardner drank Tea with me. Spent an Hour in the beginning of the evening at Major Gardiners, where it was thought that the design of Christianity was not to make men good Riddle Solvers or good mystery mongers, but good men, good majestrates and good Subjects, good Husbands and good Wives, good Parents and good Children, good masters and good servants. The following Question may be answered some time or other—viz. Where do we find a praecept in the Gospell, requiring Ecclesiastical Synods, Convocations, Councils, Decrees, Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Subscriptions and whole Cartloads of other trumpery, that we find Religion incumbered with in these Days? |
19 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0019 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-19T00:00:00" | "1756-02-19T00:00:00" | 19 Thurdsday..
No man is intirely free from weakness and imperfection in this life. Men of the most exalted Genius and active minds, are generally perfect slaves to the Love of Fame. They sometimes descend to as mean tricks and artifices, in pursuit of Honour or Reputation, as the Miser descends to, in pursuit of Gold. The greatest men have been the most envious, malicious, and revengeful. The miser toils by night and Day, fasts and watches, till he emaciates his Body, to fatten his purse and increase his coffers. The ambitious man rolls and tumbles in his bed, a stranger to refreshing sleep and repose thro anxiety about a preferment he has in view. The Phylosopher sweats and labours at his Book, and ruminates in his closet, till his bearded and grim Countenance exhibit the effigies of pale Want and Care, and Death, in quest of hard Words, solemn nonsense, and ridiculous grimace. The gay Gentleman rambles over half the Globe, Buys one Thing and Steals another, murders one man, and disables another, and gets his own limbs and head broke, for a few transitory flashes of happiness. Is this perfection, or downright madness and distraction?—A cold day. |
20 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0020 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-20T00:00:00" | "1756-02-20T00:00:00" | 20 Fryday..
A dull Day. Symptoms of Snow. Writing Tillotson. |
21 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0021 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-21T00:00:00" | "1756-02-21T00:00:00" | 21 Saturday..
A Snowy day. Snow about ancle deep. I find by repeated experiment and observation, in my School, that human nature is more easily wrought upon and governed, by promises and incouragement and praise than by punishment, and threatning and Blame. But we must be cautious and sparing of our praise, lest it become too familiar, and cheap and so contemptible. Corporal as well as disgraceful punishments, depress the spirits, but commendation enlivens and stimulates them to a noble ardor and emulation. |
22 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0022 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-22T00:00:00" | "1756-02-22T00:00:00" | 22 Sunday..
Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony, drunkenness, or Lust—no man would sacrifice his most precious time to cards, or any other trifling and mean amusement—no man would steal or lie or any way defraud his neighbour, but would live in peace and good will with all men—no man would blaspheme his maker or prophane his Worship, but a rational and manly, a sincere and unaffected Piety and devotion, would reign in all hearts. What a Eutopa, what a Paradise would this region be. Heard Thayer all Day. He preach’d well.
Spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, with Putnam, Gardiner, Thayer, the Dr. and his Lady, in Conversation, upon the present scituation of publick affairs, with a few observations concerning Heroes and great Commanders. Alexander, Charles 12th., Cromwel. |
23 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0023 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-23T00:00:00" | "1756-02-23T00:00:00" | 23 Monday..
Fair weather. Crawford spent the Evening here. |
24 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0024 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-24T00:00:00" | "1756-02-24T00:00:00" | 24 Tuesday..
A fine morning. We are told that Demosthenes transcribed the history of Thucidides 8 times, in order to imbibe and familiarize the elegance and strength of his stile. Will it not then be worth while for a candidate for the ministry to transcribe Dr. Tillotson’s Works. |
25 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0025 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-25T00:00:00" | "1756-02-25T00:00:00" | 25 Wednesday..
Fair and cold Weather. An extream cold night. |
26 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0026 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-26T00:00:00" | "1756-02-26T00:00:00" | 26 Thurdsday..
Fair cold morning. An extream cold Day. |
27 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0027 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-27T00:00:00" | "1756-02-27T00:00:00" | 27 Fryday..
A fair, cold day. Drank Tea at Mrs. Paines. All day, in high health, and spirits. Writing Tillotson. That Comet which appeared in 1682, is expected again this year, and we have intelligence, that it has been seen, about 10 days since, near midnight, in the East.—I find my self very much inclin’d to an unreasonable absence of mind, and to a morose, unsociable disposition. Let it therefore be my constant endeavour to reform these great faults. |
28 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0028 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-28T00:00:00" | "1756-02-28T00:00:00" | 28 Saturday..
A raw cold day. Attended Mrs. Brown’s funeral. Let this, and every other Instance of human frailty and mortality, prompt me to endeavour after a temper of mind, fit to undergo this great Change. |
29 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002-0029 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-29T00:00:00" | "1756-02-29T00:00:00" | 29 Sunday..
Went to Leicester with Thayer. Heard him preach all Day. Dined at Mr. Whitneys. Returned home and drank Tea, and spent the Evening at Mr. Paines. |
[February 1756] | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0002 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-02-01T00:00:00" | "1756-02-29T00:00:00" | [February 1756].
February. 1756. 1 Sunday.
Pretty cold. Staid at Home, A.M. P.M. heard Mr. Maccarty. Lodg’d with him at night.
2 Monday.
Wrote to John Wentworth by Coll. Josiah Willard. Spent the Eve, sup’d and lodg’d at Major Chandler’s, with that universal Scholar, gay Companion, and accomplish’d Gentleman Mr. Robert Treat Pain. Misty, thick Weather.
This letter to a classmate, who was to become the last royal governor of New Hampshire and subsequently lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia (see DABAllen Johnson and Dumas Malone, eds., Dictionary of American Biography, New York, 1928–1936; 20 vols. plus index and supplements.), has not been found.
Robert Treat Paine (1731–1814) preceded JA into the law by a few years, and the two became keen professional rivals. The eulogistic phrases in this first mention of Paine in the Diary are not untouched by sarcasm; many of JA’s later references are in the same tone. Paine became a member of the first and later Continental Congresses and a judge of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. His papers (in MHi) are being edited for publication by the Society.
3 Tuesday.
Breakfasted at Gardiners. This morn the Weather clear’d away. As warm and brilliant as May. Kept School all Day.
4 Wednesday.
A charming warm Day. Dined at Coll. Chandler’s with Mr. Pain, Abel Willard and Ebenr. Thayer. Drank Tea at Mr. Timothy Paines and supp’d and spent the Eve at Major Chandlers with the same Company, very gaily.
5 Thurdsday.
A fair morning but some symptoms of a Change of Weather. Kept School. Spent the evening with Messrs. Paine, Putnam, Willard, Thayer, partly at home and partly at Mr. Putnams.
James Putnam (1726–1789), who was to teach JA law.
6 Fryday.
A cloudy morning. About 10 the sun brake out. A warm Day. Dined at Mr. Paines. Kept school. Spent the Evening at home. A windy Evening.
Here and occasionally elsewhere in his early Diary JA used a symbolic sketch of the sun.
7 Saturday.
A Fair warm, day. Dined at the Judges. Drank Tea at Major Gardiners.
8 Sunday.
Heard Mr. Maccarty. Fine Weather.
9 Monday.
Fine Weather. Settled roads. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, very gaily, with much Company.
10 Tuesday.
Fair Weather. Spent the Evening at Major Chandlers, with Major Greene and Mr. Maccarty. Charming Weather. Roads Setled.
11 Wednesday.
Serene Weather, but somewhat cool. I am constantly forming, but never executing good resolutions. I take great Pleasure, in viewing and examining the magnificent Prospects of Nature, that lie before us in this Town. If I cast my Eyes one Way, I am entertained with the Savage and unsightly appearance of naked woods and leafless Forests. In another place a chain of broken and irregular mountains, throws my mind into a pleasing kind of astonishment. But if I turn my self round, I perceive a wide extensive Tract before me, made up of Woods, and meadows, wandring streams, and barren Planes, covered in various places by herds of grazing Cattle, and terminated by the distant View of the Town.
12 Thurdsday.
A cool, but pleasant morning. Heard Mr. Welman Wellman preach the Lecture, and drank Tea, with him, at home where he made this observation, (viz.) That Dr. Mayhew was a smart man, but he embraced some doctrines, not generally approved.
Jonathan Mayhew (1720–1766), Harvard 1744; D.D., Aberdeen 1749; minister of the West Church, Boston; early famous for his radical theological and political views. JA admired him as “a transcendent genius” whose character would require “a dozen volumes” to delineate; and there can be no question that Mayhew’s numerous published discourses profoundly influenced young JA. (DABAllen Johnson and Dumas Malone, eds., Dictionary of American Biography, New York, 1928–1936; 20 vols. plus index and supplements.; Clinton Rossiter, “The Life and Mind of Jonathan Mayhew,” WMQWilliam and Mary Quarterly., 3d ser., 7:531–558 [Oct. 1950]; JA, WorksThe Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols., 10:288.) See also 17 March, below.
13 Fryday.
A pleasant morning. Saw my classmates Gardner, and Wheeler. Wheeler dined, spent the afternoon, and drank Tea with me. Supped at Major Gardiners, and ingag’d to keep School at Bristol, provided Worcester People, at their insuing March meeting, should change this into a moving School, not otherwise. Major Greene this Evening fell into some conversation with me about the Divinity and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ. All the Argument he advanced was, “that a mere creature, or finite Being, could not make Satisfaction to infinite Justice, for any Crimes,” and that “these things are very misterious.”
In the margin: Thus mystery is made a convenient Cover for absurdity.
Prior to the formation of school districts, schoolmasters were obliged to keep school for stated periods in different parts of a town (township), so that the children of all those who supported schools by taxes would have equal access to them; this arrangement was called a “moving school” (DAHJames Truslow Adams and R. V. Coleman, eds., Dictionary of American History, New York, 1940; 5 vols. and index., under School, District). Extract from the Worcester Town Records, 1 March 1756: “Voted that the School[s] be Kept in the same way and manner as they were the Last year and that John Chandler Junr. and Timo. Paine Esq. and Mr. Asa Moore be a Comitte for provid[ing] a master for the Center School” (Worcester Soc. of Antiquity, Colls., 4 [1882]:23).
See OEDThe Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford, 1933; 12 vols. and supplement. under Satisfaction, 3: “Theol. The atonement made by Christ for sin, according to the view that His sufferings and merits are accepted by the Divine justice as an equivalent for the penalty due for the sins of the world.” In recent published sermons Jonathan Mayhew had called in question the divinity of Christ; see 17 March, below.
14 Saturday.
Good Weather. This afternoon took a Vomit of Tartar Emet. and Turbith mineral, that worked 7 Times, and wrecked me much.
Turpeth, turbith: “A cathartic drug prepared from the root of East Indian jalap, Ipomoea Turpethum”(OEDThe Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford, 1933; 12 vols. and supplement.).
15 Sunday.
Charming Weather. A.M. staid at home reading the Independent Whig. Very often Shepherds that are hired, to take care of their Masters sheep, go about their own Concern’s and leave the flock to the Care of their Dog. So Byshops, who are appointed to oversee the flock of Christ, take the Fees themslves, but leave the Drudgery to their Dogs, alias i.e. curates and understrappers.
[Thomas Gordon and John Trenchard,] The Independent Whig, originally a periodical publication but issued as a volume, London, 1721. There were numerous later enlarged editions, some bearing the subtitle “A Defence of Primitive Christianity.” Gordon and Trenchard attacked the high-church party in England and became still more influential as anticlerical and whig propagandists through their Cato’s Letters (London, 1724; 4 vols.), which was a popular book in America. JA owned several of their works. (Article on Gordon in DNBLeslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds., The Dictionary of National Biography, New York and London, 1885–1900; 63 vols. plus supplements.; BM, CatalogueThe British Museum Catalogue of Printed Books, 1881–1900, Ann Arbor, 1946; 58 vols. Supplement, 1900–1905, Ann Arbor, 1950; 10 vols.; Josiah Quincy, Josiah Quincy, Jr.Josiah Quincy, Memoir of Josiah Quincy, Junior, of Massachusetts: 1744–1775, 2d edn., ed. Eliza Susan Quincy, Boston, 1874., p. 289; Catalogue of JA’s LibraryCatalogue of the John Adams Library in the Public Library of the City of Boston, Boston, 1917., p. 106, 247.)
16 Monday.
A most beautiful morning. We have the most moderate Winter that ever was known in this country. For a long time together we have had serene and temperate Weather and all the Roads perfectly settled and smooth like Summer.—The Church of Rome has made it an Article of Faith that no man can be saved out of their Church, and all other religious Sects approach to this dreadfull opinion in proportion to their Ignorance, and the Influence of ignorant or wicked Priests. Still reading the Independent Whigg. Oh! that I could wear out of my mind every mean and base affectation, conquer my natural Pride and Self Conceit, expect no more defference from my fellows than I deserve, acquire that meekness, and humility, which are the sure marks and Characters of a great and generous Soul, and subdue every unworthy Passion and treat all men as I wish to be treated by all. How happy should I then be, in the favour and good will of all honest men, and the sure prospect of a happy immortality!
17 Tuesday.
A clowdy Day. Dined at Mr. Greenes.
18 Wednesday.
A charming morning. My Classmate Gardner drank Tea with me. Spent an Hour in the beginning of the evening at Major Gardiners, where it was thought that the design of Christianity was not to make men good Riddle Solvers or good mystery mongers, but good men, good majestrates and good Subjects, good Husbands and good Wives, good Parents and good Children, good masters and good servants. The following Question may be answered some time or other—viz. Where do we find a praecept in the Gospell, requiring Ecclesiastical Synods, Convocations, Councils, Decrees, Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Subscriptions and whole Cartloads of other trumpery, that we find Religion incumbered with in these Days?
19 Thurdsday.
No man is intirely free from weakness and imperfection in this life. Men of the most exalted Genius and active minds, are generally perfect slaves to the Love of Fame. They sometimes descend to as mean tricks and artifices, in pursuit of Honour or Reputation, as the Miser descends to, in pursuit of Gold. The greatest men have been the most envious, malicious, and revengeful. The miser toils by night and Day, fasts and watches, till he emaciates his Body, to fatten his purse and increase his coffers. The ambitious man rolls and tumbles in his bed, a stranger to refreshing sleep and repose thro anxiety about a preferment he has in view. The Phylosopher sweats and labours at his Book, and ruminates in his closet, till his bearded and grim Countenance exhibit the effigies of pale Want and Care, and Death, in quest of hard Words, solemn nonsense, and ridiculous grimace. The gay Gentleman rambles over half the Globe, Buys one Thing and Steals another, murders one man, and disables another, and gets his own limbs and head broke, for a few transitory flashes of happiness. Is this perfection, or downright madness and distraction?—A cold day.
20 Fryday.
A dull Day. Symptoms of Snow. Writing Tillotson.
That is, copying out extracts from the published sermons of John Tillotson (1630–1694), sometime Archbishop of Canterbury and a celebrated preacher (DNBLeslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds., The Dictionary of National Biography, New York and London, 1885–1900; 63 vols. plus supplements.). There survives among JA’s papers a literary commonplace book (Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 187) containing a good many exercises of this kind during his years in Worcester.
21 Saturday.
A Snowy day. Snow about ancle deep. I find by repeated experiment and observation, in my School, that human nature is more easily wrought upon and governed, by promises and incouragement and praise than by punishment, and threatning and Blame. But we must be cautious and sparing of our praise, lest it become too familiar, and cheap and so contemptible. Corporal as well as disgraceful punishments, depress the spirits, but commendation enlivens and stimulates them to a noble ardor and emulation.
22 Sunday.
Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony, drunkenness, or Lust—no man would sacrifice his most precious time to cards, or any other trifling and mean amusement—no man would steal or lie or any way defraud his neighbour, but would live in peace and good will with all men—no man would blaspheme his maker or prophane his Worship, but a rational and manly, a sincere and unaffected Piety and devotion, would reign in all hearts. What a Eutopa, what a Paradise would this region be. Heard Thayer all Day. He preach’d well.
Spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, with Putnam, Gardiner, Thayer, the Dr. and his Lady, in Conversation, upon the present scituation of publick affairs, with a few observations concerning Heroes and great Commanders. Alexander, Charles 12th., Cromwel.
Probably Dr. and Mrs. Nahum Willard, who came to Worcester about the same time JA did and with whom JA was now boarding at the cost of the town (JA, Autobiography; Lincoln, WorcesterWilliam Lincoln, History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from Its Earliest Settlement to September, 1836, Worcester, 1837; 2 vols., p. 254).
23 Monday.
Fair weather. Crawford spent the Evening here.
24 Tuesday.
A fine morning. We are told that Demosthenes transcribed the history of Thucidides 8 times, in order to imbibe and familiarize the elegance and strength of his stile. Will it not then be worth while for a candidate for the ministry to transcribe Dr. Tillotson’s Works.
25 Wednesday.
Fair and cold Weather. An extream cold night.
26 Thurdsday.
Fair cold morning. An extream cold Day.
27 Fryday.
A fair, cold day. Drank Tea at Mrs. Paines. All day, in high health, and spirits. Writing Tillotson. That Comet which appeared in 1682, is expected again this year, and we have intelligence, that it has been seen, about 10 days since, near midnight, in the East.—I find my self very much inclin’d to an unreasonable absence of mind, and to a morose, unsociable disposition. Let it therefore be my constant endeavour to reform these great faults.
The reference is to Halley’s comet, named for the British astronomer who had worked out the periodicity of its appearance, approximately every three-quarters of a century. Its next return after 1682 was in April–May 1759, so that the reports JA had heard were mistaken. Professor John Winthrop provided an account of Halley’s comet in an appendix to his Two Lectures on Comets, Read in the Chapel of Harvard-College ... in April, 1759, Boston, 1759.
28 Saturday.
A raw cold day. Attended Mrs. Brown’s funeral. Let this, and every other Instance of human frailty and mortality, prompt me to endeavour after a temper of mind, fit to undergo this great Change.
29 Sunday.
Went to Leicester with Thayer. Heard him preach all Day. Dined at Mr. Whitneys. Returned home and drank Tea, and spent the Evening at Mr. Paines. |
March. 1756. 1 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-01T00:00:00" | "1756-03-01T00:00:00" | March. 1756. 1 Monday..
Wrote out Bolingbrokes reflections on Exile. |
2 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0002 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-02T00:00:00" | "1756-03-02T00:00:00" | 2 Tuesday..
A snow fall last night, half leg deep. Began this afternoon, my 3rd. quarter. The great and almighty Author of nature, who at first established those rules which regulate the World, can as easily Suspend those Laws whenever his providence sees sufficient reason for such suspension. This can be no objection, then, to the miracles of Jesus Christ. Altho’ some very thoughtfull, and contemplative men among the heathen, attained a strong persuasion of the great Principles of Religion, yet the far greater number having little time for speculation, gradually sunk in to the grossest Opinions and the grossest Practices. These therefore could not be made to embrace the true religion, till their attention was roused by some astonishing and miraculous appearances. The reasonings of Phylosophers having nothing surprizing in them, could not overcome the force of Prejudice, Custom, Passion, and Bigotry. But when wise and virtuous men, commisioned from heaven, by miracles awakened mens attention to their Reasonings the force of Truth made its way, with ease to their minds. |
3 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0003 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-03T00:00:00" | "1756-03-03T00:00:00" | 3 Wednesday..
Fair Weather. Natural Phylosophy is the Art of deducing the generall laws and properties of material substances, from a series of analogous observations. The manner of reasoning in this art is not strictly demonstrative, and by Consequence the knowledge hence acquired, not absolutely Scientifical, because the facts that we reason upon, are perceived by Sence and not by the internal Action of the mind Contemplating its Ideas. But these Facts being presumed true in the form of Axioms, subsequent reasonings about them may be in the strictest sence, scientifical. This Art informs us, in what manner bodies will influence us and each other in given Circumstances, and so teaches us, to avoid the noxious and imbrace the beneficial qualities of matter. By this Art too, many curious Engines have been constructed to facilitate Business, to avert impending Calamities, and to procure desired advantages. |
4 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0004 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-04T00:00:00" | "1756-03-04T00:00:00" | 4 Thurdsday..
A fine morn. |
5 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0005 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-05T00:00:00" | "1756-03-05T00:00:00" | 5 Fryday..
Dined at home, Mr. Barnes dined here, drank Tea, and spent the evening at Coll. Chandlers. |
6 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0006 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-06T00:00:00" | "1756-03-06T00:00:00" | 6 Saturday..
Rose 1/2 after 4. A clowdy morn. Wrote Bolinbrokes letter on retirement and study. |
7 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0007 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-07T00:00:00" | "1756-03-07T00:00:00" | 7 Sunday..
Heard Mr. Maccarty all day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Greenes, with Thayer. Honesty, Sincerity and openness, I esteem essential marks of a good mind. I am therefore of opinion, that men ought, (after they have examined with unbiassed Judgments, every System of Religion, and chosen one System on their own Authority, for themselves) to avow their Opinions and defend them with boldness. |
8 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0008 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-08T00:00:00" | "1756-03-08T00:00:00" | 8 Monday..
Spent the Evening at Major Chandlers. Fair Weather. |
9 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0009 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-09T00:00:00" | "1756-03-09T00:00:00" | 9 Tuesday..
A charming Day. Spent the evening up Chamber. |
10 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0010 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-10T00:00:00" | "1756-03-10T00:00:00" | 10 Wednesday..
A misty morning. Sun brake out about noon. Spent Evening at Gardiners. |
11 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0011 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-11T00:00:00" | "1756-03-11T00:00:00" | 11 Thurdsday..
Dined at the Colonels. Drank Tea at Mr. Paines with a number of Ladies, and spent the Evening at Major Chandlers, with Thayer. |
12 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0012 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-12T00:00:00" | "1756-03-12T00:00:00" | 12 Fryday..
Clowdy. Laid a pair of Gloves with Mrs. Willard that she would not see me chew tobacco this month. |
13 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0013 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-13T00:00:00" | "1756-03-13T00:00:00" | 13 Saturday..
Some Snow last night, a clowdy, raw morning. |
14 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0014 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-14T00:00:00" | "1756-03-14T00:00:00" | 14 Sunday..
Heard Mr. Maccarty all Day upon Abrahams Faith, in offering up Isaac. Spent the Evening, very Sociably at Mr. Putnams. Several observations concerning Mr. Franklin of Phyladelphia, a prodigious Genius cultivated with prodigious industry. |
15 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0015 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-15T00:00:00" | "1756-03-15T00:00:00" | 15 Monday..
I sometimes, in my sprightly moments, consider my self, in my great Chair at School, as some Dictator at the head of a commonwealth. In this little State I can discover all the great Genius’s, all the surprizing actions and revolutions of the great World in miniature. I have severall renowned Generalls but 3 feet high, and several deep-projecting Politicians in peticoats. I have others catching and dissecting Flies, accumulating remarkable pebbles, cockle shells &c., with as ardent Curiosity as any Virtuoso in the royal society. Some rattle and Thunder out A, B, C, with as much Fire and impetuosity, as Alexander fought, and very often sit down and cry as heartily, upon being out spelt, as Cesar did, when at Alexanders sepulchre he recollected that the Macedonian Hero had conquered the World before his Age. At one Table sits Mr. Insipid foppling and fluttering, spinning his whirligig, or playing with his fingers as gaily and wittily as any frenchified coxcomb brandishes his Cane or rattles his snuff box. At another sitts the polemical Divine, plodding and wrangling in his mind about Adam’s fall in which we sinned all as his primmer has it. In short my little school like the great World, is made up of Kings, Politicians, Divines, L.D. LL.D.’s, Fops, Buffoons, Fidlers, Sychophants, Fools, Coxcombs, chimney sweepers, and every other Character drawn in History or seen in the World. Is it not then the highest Pleasure my Friend to preside in this little World, to bestow the proper applause upon virtuous and generous Actions, to blame and punish every vicious and contracted Trick, to wear out of the tender mind every thing that is mean and little, and fire the new born soul with a noble ardor and Emulation. The World affords no greater Pleasure. Let others waste the bloom of Life, at the Card or biliard Table, among rakes and fools, and when their minds are sufficiently fretted with losses, and inflamed by Wine, ramble through the Streets, assaulting innocent People, breaking Windows or debauching young Girls. I envy not their exalted happiness. I had rather sit in school and consider which of my pupils will turn out in his future Life, a Hero, and which a rake, which a phylosopher, and which a parasite, than change breasts with them, tho possest of 20 lac’d wast coats and £1000 a year. Methinks I hear you say, this is odd talk for J. Adams. I’ll tell you, then the Ocasion of it. About 4 months since a poor Girl in this neighbourhood walking by the meeting House upon some Ocasion, in the evening, met a fine Gentleman with laced hat and wast coat, and a sword who sollicited her to turn aside with him into the horse Stable. The Girl relucted a little, upon which he gave her 3 Guineas, and wished he might be damned if he did not have her in 3 months. Into the horse Stable they went. The 3 Guineas proved 3 farthings—and the Girl proves with Child, without a Friend upon Earth that will own her, or knowing the father of her 3 farthing Bastard. |
16 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0016 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-16T00:00:00" | "1756-03-16T00:00:00" | 16 Tuesday..
Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived about 12, dined. Rode to Aldridges after Mr. Webb, and brought him with me to my Uncles. Spent the Evening there. Lodged with Webb. |
17 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0017 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-17T00:00:00" | "1756-03-17T00:00:00" | 17 Wednesday..
A fine morning. Proceeded on my Journey towards Braintree. Stop’ed at Josiah Adams’s. Baited at Clarks of Medway. Dined at Clarks of Medfield. Stopd to see Mr. Haven of Dedham, who told me very civilly that he supposed I took my faith on Trust from Dr. Mayhew, and added that he believed the doctrine of the satisfaction of JesusChrist to be essential to Cristianity, and that he would not believe this satisfaction, unless he believed the Divinity of Christ. Mr. Balch was there too, and observed that he would not be a Christian if he did not believe the Mysterys of the Gospel. That he could bear with an Arminian, but when, with Dr. Mayhew, they denied the Divinity and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ he had no more to do with them. That he knew not what to make of Dr. Mayhews two discourses upon the Expected Dissolution of all Things. They gave him an Idea of a Cart whose wheels want’d greazing. It rumbled on in a hoarse rough manner. There was a good deal of ingenious Talk in them, but it was thrown together in a jumbled confused order. He believed the Dr. wrote it in a great Pannick. He added farther that Arminians, however stiffly they maintain their opinions in health, always, he takes notice, retract when they come to Die, and chose to die Calvinists.—Sat out for Braintree and arrived about sun set. Spent the Evening partly at home and partly at the Drs. |
18 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0018 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-18T00:00:00" | "1756-03-18T00:00:00" | 18 Thurdsday..
A cloudy morning. Spent the afternoon at my Uncles, and part of the Evening at the Doctor’s. |
19 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0019 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-19T00:00:00" | "1756-03-19T00:00:00" | 19 Fryday..
A rainy morning. Went down in the afternoon, to the Point. Spent the afternoon and Evening and lodged with my dear Friend Cranch, in the usuall social friendly Strain. |
20 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0020 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-20T00:00:00" | "1756-03-20T00:00:00" | 20 Saturday..
After breakfast, rode to my Uncle Hunts, dined there, came Home, went to see my Aunt Owen, drank Tea at Deacon Webbs with Mrs. Nabby Webb. Came home. Spent the evening at the Drs. |
21 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0021 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-21T00:00:00" | "1756-03-21T00:00:00" | 21 Sunday..
Vernal Equinox. Heard Mr. Wibird preach two excellent Discourses from Eccles. 9.12. Spent the Evening at Mr. Wibirds with Messrs. Quincy, Cranch, Savel, in Conversation upon the present Scituation of publick affairs. Mr. Quincy exerted his Talents in the most Eloquent Harrangue. Mr. Cranch quoted the bishop of Quebecks Letter concerning the french Missionaries among the Indians. Some, he says, are very good men. |
22 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0022 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-22T00:00:00" | "1756-03-22T00:00:00" | 22 Monday..
A fair but cool morn. Mounted for Boston, arrived about 11 o’clock, went to friend Wm. Belchers, drank a bowl of punch, dined at my Uncle Sympsons, rode to Cambridge, drank Tea with Tom Went-worth. Spent the Evening partly at Hills Chamber, partly at Slewmans Sluman’s, and partly at Trumbles Trumbull’s and partly at Harry Hills. Lodged with John Hill. |
23 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0023 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-23T00:00:00" | "1756-03-23T00:00:00" | 23 Tuesday..
A fine morn. Breakfasted with Slewman at Prentices, mounted for Braintree, arrived about 1, dined, went to Dr. Millers, to see friend Sam. Drank Tea there with Mrs. Veasey and Mrs. Mary Miller, stopped in my return at Dr. Marshes, smoked a pipe there, came home, went to my Uncles and spent the Evening. Returned home and went to bed. |
24 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0024 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-24T00:00:00" | "1756-03-24T00:00:00" | 24 Wednesday..
Sat out for Worcester. Dined at Dedham and rode from thence in the rain to Mendon, supped and lodged at Josiah Adamses. |
25 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0025 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-25T00:00:00" | "1756-03-25T00:00:00" | 25 Thurdsday..
Rode to Uxbridge. Tarried at my Uncle Webbs and lodged with Mr. Nathan Webb. |
26 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0026 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-26T00:00:00" | "1756-03-26T00:00:00" | 26 Fryday..
A delightful morning. Rode to Grafton, dined at Josiah Rawsons. He exerted his rawsonian Talents concerning the felicity of Heaven. I sat and heard for it is vain to resist so impetuous a Torrent. Proceeded to Worcester, drank Tea at Mr. Maccarty’s and spent the evening at Major Gardiner’s. |
27 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0027 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-27T00:00:00" | "1756-03-27T00:00:00" | 27 Saturday..
The Stream of Life sometimes glides smoothly on, through flowry meadows and enamell’d planes. At other times it draggs a winding reluctant Course through offensive Boggs and dismal gloomy Swamps. The same road now leads us thro’ a spacious Country fraught with evry delightful object, Then plunges us at once, into miry Sloughs, or stops our passage with craggy and inaccessible mountains. The free roving Songster of the forest, now rambles unconfin’d, and hopps from Spray to Spray but the next hour perhaps he alights to pick the scattered Grain and is entangled in the Snare. The Ship, which, wafted by a favourable gale, sails prosperously upon the peaceful Surface, by a sudden Change of weather may be tossed by the Tempest, and driven by furious, opposite winds, upon rocks or quicksands. In short nothing in this world enjoys a constant Series of Joy and prosperity. |
28 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0028 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-28T00:00:00" | "1756-03-28T00:00:00" | 28 Sunday..
Heard Mr. Maccarty, spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, in Conversation concerning Lands and Farms &c. |
29 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0029 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-29T00:00:00" | "1756-03-29T00:00:00" | 29 Monday..
A little hail and rain fell to Day. We find our Selves capable of comprehending many Things, of acquiring considerable Degrees of Knowledge by our slender and contracted Faculties. Now may we not suppose our minds strengthened, and Capacities dilated, so as fully to comprehend this Globe of Earth, with its numerous appendages? May we not suppose them further enlarged to take in the Solar System, in all its relations? Nay why may we not go further and suppose them increased to comprehend the Whole created Universe, with all its inhabitants, their various Relations, Dependencies, Duties and necessities. If this is supposeable, then a Being of such great Capacity, in-dowed with sufficient Power, would be an accomplished Judge of all rational Beings ... would be fit to dispense rewards to Virtue and Punishments to Vice. |
30 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0030 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-30T00:00:00" | "1756-03-30T00:00:00" | 30 Tuesday..
A fair day. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, with Mr. Maccarty, very Sociably. |
31 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003-0031 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-31T00:00:00" | "1756-03-31T00:00:00" | 31 Wednesday..
A cool morning. Drank Tea with the Ladies at the Judges. Spent the Evening at Gardiners with the Coll., Mr. Putnam and Thayer. |
[March 1756] | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0003 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-03-01T00:00:00" | "1756-03-31T00:00:00" | [March 1756].
March. 1756. 1 Monday.
Wrote out Bolingbrokes reflections on Exile.
For JA’s lifelong study of, and his extensive commentaries on, the writings of Henry St. John, first Viscount Bolingbroke, see Haraszti, JA and the Prophets of ProgressZoltán Haraszti, John Adams and the Prophets of Progress, Cambridge, 1952., ch. 4. JA’s own copies of Bolingbroke’s writings are now divided between the Boston Athenaeum and the Boston Public Library.
2 Tuesday.
A snow fall last night, half leg deep. Began this afternoon, my 3rd. quarter. The great and almighty Author of nature, who at first established those rules which regulate the World, can as easily Suspend those Laws whenever his providence sees sufficient reason for such suspension. This can be no objection, then, to the miracles of Jesus Christ. Altho’ some very thoughtfull, and contemplative men among the heathen, attained a strong persuasion of the great Principles of Religion, yet the far greater number having little time for speculation, gradually sunk in to the grossest Opinions and the grossest Practices. These therefore could not be made to embrace the true religion, till their attention was roused by some astonishing and miraculous appearances. The reasonings of Phylosophers having nothing surprizing in them, could not overcome the force of Prejudice, Custom, Passion, and Bigotry. But when wise and virtuous men, commisioned from heaven, by miracles awakened mens attention to their Reasonings the force of Truth made its way, with ease to their minds.
3 Wednesday.
Fair Weather. Natural Phylosophy is the Art of deducing the generall laws and properties of material substances, from a series of analogous observations. The manner of reasoning in this art is not strictly demonstrative, and by Consequence the knowledge hence acquired, not absolutely Scientifical, because the facts that we reason upon, are perceived by Sence and not by the internal Action of the mind Contemplating its Ideas. But these Facts being presumed true in the form of Axioms, subsequent reasonings about them may be in the strictest sence, scientifical. This Art informs us, in what manner bodies will influence us and each other in given Circumstances, and so teaches us, to avoid the noxious and imbrace the beneficial qualities of matter. By this Art too, many curious Engines have been constructed to facilitate Business, to avert impending Calamities, and to procure desired advantages.
4 Thurdsday.
A fine morn.
5 Fryday.
Dined at home, Mr. Barnes dined here, drank Tea, and spent the evening at Coll. Chandlers.
The ambiguous punctuation of the MS has been retained. JA probably intended a full stop after “dined here.”
6 Saturday.
Rose 1/2 after 4. A clowdy morn. Wrote Bolinbrokes letter on retirement and study.
7 Sunday.
Heard Mr. Maccarty all day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Greenes, with Thayer. Honesty, Sincerity and openness, I esteem essential marks of a good mind. I am therefore of opinion, that men ought, (after they have examined with unbiassed Judgments, every System of Religion, and chosen one System on their own Authority, for themselves) to avow their Opinions and defend them with boldness.
8 Monday.
Spent the Evening at Major Chandlers. Fair Weather.
9 Tuesday.
A charming Day. Spent the evening up Chamber.
10 Wednesday.
A misty morning. Sun brake out about noon. Spent Evening at Gardiners.
11 Thurdsday.
Dined at the Colonels. Drank Tea at Mr. Paines with a number of Ladies, and spent the Evening at Major Chandlers, with Thayer.
12 Fryday.
Clowdy. Laid a pair of Gloves with Mrs. Willard that she would not see me chew tobacco this month.
We do not know who won this wager. We do know something about JA’s use of tobacco. In 1805 his friend Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse of the Harvard Medical School published a tract entitled Cautions to Young Persons concerning Health in a Public Lecture...; containing the General Doctrine of Chronic Diseases; Shewing the Evil Tendency of the Use of Tobacco upon Young Persons; More Especially the Pernicious Effects of Smoking Cigarrs. The lecture had been delivered to Harvard undergraduates, and in it Waterhouse declared that in his twenty-three years at Harvard he had never observed “so many palid faces, and so many marks of declining health; nor ever knew so many hectical habits and consumptive affections” among the students as now (p. 27). These he attributed in large measure to the increasing use of tobacco. A copy sent by the author to JA evoked several letters of reminiscence, in which among other things JA said he had “learned the Use of tobacco upon Ponds of Ice, when Skaiting with Boys at Eight Years of Age,” and though he had given it up at certain periods, including his sojourns abroad, he had, to his regret, been a frequent user of tobacco in one form or another for sixty years (JA to Waterhouse, 19 and 13 Feb. 1805, MHi:Adams-Waterhouse Coll.).
13 Saturday.
Some Snow last night, a clowdy, raw morning.
14 Sunday.
Heard Mr. Maccarty all Day upon Abrahams Faith, in offering up Isaac. Spent the Evening, very Sociably at Mr. Putnams. Several observations concerning Mr. Franklin of Phyladelphia, a prodigious Genius cultivated with prodigious industry.
15 Monday.
I sometimes, in my sprightly moments, consider my self, in my great Chair at School, as some Dictator at the head of a commonwealth. In this little State I can discover all the great Genius’s, all the surprizing actions and revolutions of the great World in miniature. I have severall renowned Generalls but 3 feet high, and several deep-projecting Politicians in peticoats. I have others catching and dissecting Flies, accumulating remarkable pebbles, cockle shells &c., with as ardent Curiosity as any Virtuoso in the royal society. Some rattle and Thunder out A, B, C, with as much Fire and impetuosity, as Alexander fought, and very often sit down and cry as heartily, upon being out spelt, as Cesar did, when at Alexanders sepulchre he recollected that the Macedonian Hero had conquered the World before his Age. At one Table sits Mr. Insipid foppling and fluttering, spinning his whirligig, or playing with his fingers as gaily and wittily as any frenchified coxcomb brandishes his Cane or rattles his snuff box. At another sitts the polemical Divine, plodding and wrangling in his mind about Adam’s fall in which we sinned all as his primmer has it. In short my little school like the great World, is made up of Kings, Politicians, Divines, L.D. LL.D.’s, Fops, Buffoons, Fidlers, Sychophants, Fools, Coxcombs, chimney sweepers, and every other Character drawn in History or seen in the World. Is it not then the highest Pleasure my Friend to preside in this little World, to bestow the proper applause upon virtuous and generous Actions, to blame and punish every vicious and contracted Trick, to wear out of the tender mind every thing that is mean and little, and fire the new born soul with a noble ardor and Emulation. The World affords no greater Pleasure. Let others waste the bloom of Life, at the Card or biliard Table, among rakes and fools, and when their minds are sufficiently fretted with losses, and inflamed by Wine, ramble through the Streets, assaulting innocent People, breaking Windows or debauching young Girls. I envy not their exalted happiness. I had rather sit in school and consider which of my pupils will turn out in his future Life, a Hero, and which a rake, which a phylosopher, and which a parasite, than change breasts with them, tho possest of 20 lac’d wast coats and £1000 a year. Methinks I hear you say, this is odd talk for J. Adams. I’ll tell you, then the Ocasion of it. About 4 months since a poor Girl in this neighbourhood walking by the meeting House upon some Ocasion, in the evening, met a fine Gentleman with laced hat and wast coat, and a sword who sollicited her to turn aside with him into the horse Stable. The Girl relucted a little, upon which he gave her 3 Guineas, and wished he might be damned if he did not have her in 3 months. Into the horse Stable they went. The 3 Guineas proved 3 farthings—and the Girl proves with Child, without a Friend upon Earth that will own her, or knowing the father of her 3 farthing Bastard.
16 Tuesday.
Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived about 12, dined. Rode to Aldridges after Mr. Webb, and brought him with me to my Uncles. Spent the Evening there. Lodged with Webb.
Presumably Nathan Webb (1734–1760), Harvard 1754, nephew and namesake of JA’s “Uncle Webb"; he is said to have practiced medicine, and it was to him that JA addressed his first letter that survives, 1 Sept. 1755 (Adams Papers; JA, MS note appended to a copy of his letter to Webb, 12 Oct. 1755, same).
17 Wednesday.
A fine morning. Proceeded on my Journey towards Braintree. Stop’ed at Josiah Adams’s. Baited at Clarks of Medway. Dined at Clarks of Medfield. Stopd to see Mr. Haven of Dedham, who told me very civilly that he supposed I took my faith on Trust from Dr. Mayhew, and added that he believed the doctrine of the satisfaction of JesusChrist to be essential to Cristianity, and that he would not believe this satisfaction, unless he believed the Divinity of Christ. Mr. Balch was there too, and observed that he would not be a Christian if he did not believe the Mysterys of the Gospel. That he could bear with an Arminian, but when, with Dr. Mayhew, they denied the Divinity and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ he had no more to do with them. That he knew not what to make of Dr. Mayhews two discourses upon the Expected Dissolution of all Things. They gave him an Idea of a Cart whose wheels want’d greazing. It rumbled on in a hoarse rough manner. There was a good deal of ingenious Talk in them, but it was thrown together in a jumbled confused order. He believed the Dr. wrote it in a great Pannick. He added farther that Arminians, however stiffly they maintain their opinions in health, always, he takes notice, retract when they come to Die, and chose to die Calvinists.—Sat out for Braintree and arrived about sun set. Spent the Evening partly at home and partly at the Drs.
Josiah Adams (1696–1802) was a younger brother of Deacon John Adams; he moved from Braintree to Mendon in 1735 (A. N. Adams, Geneal. Hist. of Henry Adams of BraintreeAndrew N. Adams, A Genealogical History of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and His Descendants, Rutland, Vt., 1898., p. 395; Quincy, First Church, MS Records).
The Expected Dissolution of All Things, a Motive to Universal Holiness, Boston, 1755, comprises two sermons preached by Mayhew on the Sunday following the earthquake of 18 Nov. 1755. They were intended as “a religious improvement of these visitations of divine providence” (p. 58), and to a modern eye seem sufficiently orthodox.
Dr. Elisha Savil (this name is variously spelled in contemporary records) and his wife, the former Ann Adams, a niece by blood of both of JA’s parents. At this time the Savils rented the more southerly of the two cottages on Deacon John Adams’ farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill in the North Precinct of Braintree. The cottages were separated by only a cartway; on the northern side was the home of JA’s parents, now known as the John Adams Birthplace; and on the southern, the home of JA and AA after their marriage in 1764, now known as the John Quincy Adams Birthplace. Owned by descendants of the two Presidents until 1940, when they were presented to the City of Quincy, the Birthplaces (at 129 and 131 Franklin Street) are open to the public under the care of the Quincy Historical Society. See HA2, The Birthplaces of Presidents John and John Quincy Adams, Quincy, 1936 (repr. from Old-Time New England, 26:79–99 [Jan. 1936]); and Quincy Historical Society, A Brief Story of the Birthplaces of the Presidents John and John Quincy Adams, Quincy, Mass., Quincy, 1954. While the present volume was in press the Quincy Historical Society published The President John Adams and the President John Quincy Adams Birthplaces, by Waldo C. Sprague, Quincy, 1959, much the fullest historical and descriptive account of these houses yet written.
18 Thurdsday.
A cloudy morning. Spent the afternoon at my Uncles, and part of the Evening at the Doctor’s.
Ebenezer Adams (1704–1769?), youngest brother of Deacon John Adams; his wife was Ann, sister of Susanna Boylston, JA’s mother; their daughter Ann was Mrs. Elisha Savil, mentioned in the preceding note (Braintree Town RecordsSamuel A. Bates, ed., Records of the Town of Braintree, 1640 to 1793, Randolph, Mass., 1886., p. 685, 766, 815).
19 Fryday.
A rainy morning. Went down in the afternoon, to the Point. Spent the afternoon and Evening and lodged with my dear Friend Cranch, in the usuall social friendly Strain.
Richard Cranch (1726–1811), who in 1762 became AA’s brother-in-law before her marriage to JA. Cranch conducted a glass manufactory at a settlement called Germantown (from the German artisans who worked there), on a point of land forming Town River Bay in Braintree, now Quincy (Pattee, Old Braintree and QuincyWilliam S. Pattee, A History of Old Braintree and Quincy, with a Sketch of Randolph and Holbrook, Quincy, 1878., p. 490).
20 Saturday.
After breakfast, rode to my Uncle Hunts, dined there, came Home, went to see my Aunt Owen, drank Tea at Deacon Webbs with Mrs. Nabby Webb. Came home. Spent the evening at the Drs.
JA’s aunt Hannah Adams had married Benjamin Owen of Braintree, 1725; his aunt Bethiah Adams had married Ebenezer Hunt of Weymouth, 1737 (A. N. Adams, Geneal. Hist. of Henry Adams of BraintreeAndrew N. Adams, A Genealogical History of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and His Descendants, Rutland, Vt., 1898., p. 395).
21 Sunday.
Vernal Equinox. Heard Mr. Wibird preach two excellent Discourses from Eccles. 9.12. Spent the Evening at Mr. Wibirds with Messrs. Quincy, Cranch, Savel, in Conversation upon the present Scituation of publick affairs. Mr. Quincy exerted his Talents in the most Eloquent Harrangue. Mr. Cranch quoted the bishop of Quebecks Letter concerning the french Missionaries among the Indians. Some, he says, are very good men.
Rev. Anthony Wibird (1729–1800), minister in the North Precinct of Braintree (afterward Quincy) from 1754 until his death.
Presumably the elder Josiah Quincy (1710–1784), more often referred to in this Diary as Colonel Quincy.
A confusing and perhaps confused reference. CFA’s explanation (JA, WorksThe Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols., 2:11, note) is not satisfactory, since “A Letter from Canada,” which he cites and which was printed in the Boston Evening Post, 8 Sept. 1755, was not written by the Bishop of Quebec and did not purport to be from his hand. (It is a transparent fabrication, designed to stir up anti-French and anti-Catholic feeling in New England.) But the discussion at Parson Wibird’s house no doubt related to the activities of such men as Le Loutre, the Bishop of Quebec’s vicar-general in maritime Canada. Le Loutre’s work among the French Neutrals, or Acadians, had led directly to their enforced exile from Nova Scotia in 1755. Shiploads of these unfortunate people were arriving at intervals in Boston Harbor during 1755–1756, and they were naturally the subject of frequent conversation. See Hutchinson, Massachusetts Bay, ed. MayoThomas Hutchinson, The History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ed. Lawrence Shaw Mayo, Cambridge, 1936; 3 vols., 3:28–31; Francis Parkman, Montcalm and Wolfe, Boston, 1907, vol. 1: chs. 4, 8; Lawrence H. Gipson, The British Empire before the American Revolution, Caldwell, Idaho, and N.Y., 1936– , vol. 6: chs. 8–10.
22 Monday.
A fair but cool morn. Mounted for Boston, arrived about 11 o’clock, went to friend Wm. Belchers, drank a bowl of punch, dined at my Uncle Sympsons, rode to Cambridge, drank Tea with Tom Went-worth. Spent the Evening partly at Hills Chamber, partly at Slewmans Sluman’s, and partly at Trumbles Trumbull’s and partly at Harry Hills. Lodged with John Hill.
Nathan Simpson, a blacksmith of Boston, who in 1740 had married Mary, sister of Susanna (Boylston) Adams, JA’s mother (NEHGRNew England Historical and Genealogical Register., 7 [1853]:146, 150).
23 Tuesday.
A fine morn. Breakfasted with Slewman at Prentices, mounted for Braintree, arrived about 1, dined, went to Dr. Millers, to see friend Sam. Drank Tea there with Mrs. Veasey and Mrs. Mary Miller, stopped in my return at Dr. Marshes, smoked a pipe there, came home, went to my Uncles and spent the Evening. Returned home and went to bed.
Samuel Miller, Harvard 1756, was a son of Ebenezer Miller, D.D., Oxford 1747, for many years minister of Christ Church, the first Episcopal church in Braintree (Sibley-Shipton, Harvard GraduatesJohn Langdon Sibley and Clifford K. Shipton, Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Cambridge and Boston, 1873– ., 7:93–100).
The Veaseys (also spelled Veazie, Vesey, &c.) were a numerous family in Braintree, some of whom were prominent in the affairs of Christ Church (Pattee, Old Braintree and QuincyWilliam S. Pattee, A History of Old Braintree and Quincy, with a Sketch of Randolph and Holbrook, Quincy, 1878., p. 248–249).
24 Wednesday.
Sat out for Worcester. Dined at Dedham and rode from thence in the rain to Mendon, supped and lodged at Josiah Adamses.
25 Thurdsday.
Rode to Uxbridge. Tarried at my Uncle Webbs and lodged with Mr. Nathan Webb.
26 Fryday.
A delightful morning. Rode to Grafton, dined at Josiah Rawsons. He exerted his rawsonian Talents concerning the felicity of Heaven. I sat and heard for it is vain to resist so impetuous a Torrent. Proceeded to Worcester, drank Tea at Mr. Maccarty’s and spent the evening at Major Gardiner’s.
27 Saturday.
The Stream of Life sometimes glides smoothly on, through flowry meadows and enamell’d planes. At other times it draggs a winding reluctant Course through offensive Boggs and dismal gloomy Swamps. The same road now leads us thro’ a spacious Country fraught with evry delightful object, Then plunges us at once, into miry Sloughs, or stops our passage with craggy and inaccessible mountains. The free roving Songster of the forest, now rambles unconfin’d, and hopps from Spray to Spray but the next hour perhaps he alights to pick the scattered Grain and is entangled in the Snare. The Ship, which, wafted by a favourable gale, sails prosperously upon the peaceful Surface, by a sudden Change of weather may be tossed by the Tempest, and driven by furious, opposite winds, upon rocks or quicksands. In short nothing in this world enjoys a constant Series of Joy and prosperity.
28 Sunday.
Heard Mr. Maccarty, spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, in Conversation concerning Lands and Farms &c.
29 Monday.
A little hail and rain fell to Day. We find our Selves capable of comprehending many Things, of acquiring considerable Degrees of Knowledge by our slender and contracted Faculties. Now may we not suppose our minds strengthened, and Capacities dilated, so as fully to comprehend this Globe of Earth, with its numerous appendages? May we not suppose them further enlarged to take in the Solar System, in all its relations? Nay why may we not go further and suppose them increased to comprehend the Whole created Universe, with all its inhabitants, their various Relations, Dependencies, Duties and necessities. If this is supposeable, then a Being of such great Capacity, in-dowed with sufficient Power, would be an accomplished Judge of all rational Beings ... would be fit to dispense rewards to Virtue and Punishments to Vice.
Suspension points in MS.
30 Tuesday.
A fair day. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, with Mr. Maccarty, very Sociably.
31 Wednesday.
A cool morning. Drank Tea with the Ladies at the Judges. Spent the Evening at Gardiners with the Coll., Mr. Putnam and Thayer. |
April 1756. 1 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0001 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-01T00:00:00" | "1756-04-01T00:00:00" | April 1756. 1 Thurdsday..
A very rainy Day. A little Snow. |
2. Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0002 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-02T00:00:00" | "1756-04-02T00:00:00" | 2. Fryday..
Cool and very windy. Drank Tea, and Spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers. |
3 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0003 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-03T00:00:00" | "1756-04-03T00:00:00" | 3 Saturday..
Dined, Spent the afternoon and drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers. |
4 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0004 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-04T00:00:00" | "1756-04-04T00:00:00" | 4 Sunday..
Heard Mr. Davis of Holden all Day. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. |
5 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0005 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-05T00:00:00" | "1756-04-05T00:00:00" | 5 Monday..
A warm pleasant Day. Drank Tea at Mrs. Paines, came home, lodged with Dr. Upham. |
6 Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0006 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-06T00:00:00" | "1756-04-06T00:00:00" | 6 Tuesday..
A fair Day. Drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers, and fixt a Letter for Cushing, Wentworth, Dalton, Lock Locke, my Father, and Dr. Savel. |
7 Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0007 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-07T00:00:00" | "1756-04-07T00:00:00" | 7 Wednesday..
A fair Morning. Mr. Thayer set out for Coll. Harvard College. |
8 Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0008 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-08T00:00:00" | "1756-04-08T00:00:00" | 8 Thurdsday..
Heard Mr. Maccarty preach the Lecture, drank Tea with him, and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. |
9 Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0009 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-09T00:00:00" | "1756-04-09T00:00:00" | 9 Fryday..
Drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers, spent the Evening at home with My Friend Eliot, lodged with him. |
10 Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0010 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-10T00:00:00" | "1756-04-10T00:00:00" | 10 Saturday..
A raw cold day. The man to whom Nature has given a great and Surprizing Genius, will perform Great and Surprizing Atchievments, but a Soul originally narrow and confined, will never be enlarged to a distinguishing Capacity. Such a one must be content to grovel amidst pebles, and Butterflies thro the whole of his Life. By dilligence and Attention, indeed, he may possibly get the Character of a Man of Sence, but never that of a great Man. |
11 Sunday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0011 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-11T00:00:00" | "1756-04-11T00:00:00" | 11 Sunday..
Heard Mr. Maccarty preach all Day. Spent the Evening at Mr. Paines, and supped upon fresh Fish with the Coll., Mr. Putnam, Major Gardiner and his Lady. Talking about Law and Pollitics. |
12 Monday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0012 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-12T00:00:00" | "1756-04-12T00:00:00" | 12 Monday..
Signs of Rain. Cleard off about 10. A most beautiful Day. Drank Tea with Coll. Chandler, and spent the Evening, at Major Gardiners, with the Coll., Messrs. Maccarty, Paine, Putnam, Green. |
12 [i.e. 13] Tuesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0013 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-13T00:00:00" | "1756-04-13T00:00:00" | 12 [i.e. 13] Tuesday..
A fine morning. A Charming warm Day. Every thing looks gay and lively. The Grass begins to spring, and the sprightly sunbeams gleam upon the houses. The windows are opened, the insects begin to buz, and every thing wellcomes the Joyful Spring.—Went to the Drs. Farm. |
13 [i.e. 14] Wednesday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0014 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-14T00:00:00" | "1756-04-14T00:00:00" | 13 [i.e. 14] Wednesday..
A pleasant morning. Wheeler drank Tea here. I went with him in the Evening, to Capt. Stearns. |
14 [i.e. 15] Thurdsday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0015 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-15T00:00:00" | "1756-04-15T00:00:00" | 14 [i.e. 15] Thurdsday..
Wheeler and I breakfasted at Mr. Maccarty’s. Went to Mr. Dyers. Very warm. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, in conversation concerning Christianity. He is of Opinion that the Apostles were a Company of Enthusiasts. He says we have only their word, to prove that they spoke with different Tongues, raised the Dead, and healed the Sick &c. |
15 [i.e. 16] Fryday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0016 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-16T00:00:00" | "1756-04-16T00:00:00" | 15 [i.e. 16] Fryday..
A Stormy Day. |
16 [i.e. 17] Saturday. | https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-01-02-0002-0004-0017 | Adams Papers | ['Adams, John'] | [] | "1756-04-17T00:00:00" | "1756-04-17T00:00:00" | 16 [i.e. 17] Saturday..
A Stormy Day. |
End of preview. Expand
in Dataset Viewer.
This dataset is a simple collection of 182,079 documents found in the Founder's Online Metadata with the matching content from the api.
This was just a quick weekend project idea and so I haven't spent much time on it. It should not be used without cleanup.
I have no affiliation with NHPRC or the University of Virginia Press, I merely collected the data for my own personal interest.
Quick notes
I had never attempted making my own HF datasets before so I went through a few attempts to upload and I am quite sure I did it wrong.
I did attempt an initial fine-tuning run using it as is anyway, which took a few weeks, but it wasn't worth it and I lack the time to do it right.
The intent was to be cleaned up and structured for training or finetuning a model, but have not had the time.
Problem Documents
The data currently includes some sort of composite entries that need to be removed, such as duplicative monthly journal entries, where there exists a document for each day already.
These composite documents exist in the original API, so I had no way to filter them in this initial pass.
Some digging has me concerned that some of those composite entries may also include copyrighted notes not available under the CC use, so I would be wary of training before they are removed anyway.
There are also many documents that are likely not suitable as is for training, where they include short hand and incomplete notes from journals, and might be saner to remove them.
Most documents also have very inconsistant spacing indententation, and line breaks, that likely should be removed depending on use case.
Missing Documents
This is missing at least 2548 documents from the John Jay collection, because the API does not yet have those documents.
An additional 281 documents from other collections were automatically excluded because the API returned no content.
From the website:
What is the data?
This dataset provides information about the more than 180,000 documents published as part of Founders Online.
Founders Online includes the correspondence and writings of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Washington.
Is this dataset in the public domain?
As the work of the University of Virginia Press, this data is released for non-commerical use and by attribution.
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